Outdoor Water Use Bylaw FAQs

Why do we need an Outdoor Water Use Bylaw?

Squamish drinking water is provided by seven wells at Powerhouse Springs Well Field.

Water consumption in Squamish soars with hot and dry summer weather, putting pressure on a water system that runs close to maximum capacity in July and August. This Outdoor Water Use Bylaw helps combat increased summer usage that results in:

Higher costs to operate and maintain the water system;

An increased likelihood that a complete upgrade of the system will be required sooner than planned. System upgrades are triggered by our peak usage, which in summer is nearly double our winter consumption.

If the capacity of the Powerhouse Springs Well Field is exceeded, emergency backup surface water sources may be brought into the system from the Stawamus River and the Mashiter Creek. Continued reliance on surface water sources would require costly water treatment upgrades. Prior to the Powerhouse Springs groundwater source coming online close to 15 years ago, boil water advisories were common in Squamish.

During Stage 2, home and business addresses are divided into two groups - even and odd. Even numbered addresses can water in the mornings from 6 to 9 a.m. and odd numbered addresses can water in the evenings from 7 to 10 p.m.

When people have the choice between morning and evening, the majority of our citizens choose evening for watering. Our real-time water usage reports demonstrate that evenings are the peak of when everyone is using water - sprinklers, hoses, as well as dishwashers, laundry, bathing etc. This puts serious pressure on the water system and the maximum capacity is very near reached. This also puts the community at risk in other areas if additional water pressure is needed in an emergency situation. Implementing these watering restrictions allows us to balance water usage throughout the community.

Allowed watering times on any given day far exceed the time required to adequately water lawns, trees, flowers, shrubs, and vegetables. As a guideline, sprinklers and in-ground irrigation systems should not be on for more than an hour in one location. Roots growing in waterlogged soil may die because they cannot absorb the oxygen needed to function normally. The longer the air is cut off, the greater the root damage. By contrast, frequent shallow watering causes a plant's roots to grow near the soil surface, where they quickly dry out. Deep watering once per week promotes healthy, drought tolerant root growth.

What does Stage 3 and beyond mean to me?

When Squamish’s Powerhouse Springs wells are very close to their maximum pumping capacity and record water consumption levels are reached, the District of Squamish has the ability to issue notice of the intent to enter Stage 3 water use restrictions. When water consumption across the community exceeds the capacity of the District’s current groundwater supply infrastructure, emergency backup surface water supplies are then brought on-line to assist with the demand. Stage 3 outdoor water use restrictions provide the ability to restrict lawn watering and other outdoor water use practices in order to prevent pulling from surface water supplies and having to issue a community-wide Boil Water Notice. Once these surface water supplies are relied upon, the District will issue a Boil Water Notice.

You may wash a vehicle or boat only to maintain visibility of windows and license plates or otherwise as necessary for safe operation of the vehicle or boat, using a handheld container or hose equipped with an automatic shut-off device.

You may water your trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables with a hand-held container, a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off device, or via micro or drip irrigation. Residents may do this between 6 and 9 a.m., and 7 and 10:00 p.m. on any day of the week.

You may water on any day that any trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetables are initially planted, at any time, during the 24-hour period following planting, but only if using a hand-held container or a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off device.

You may water by way of an in-ground irrigation system, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., any trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetables, but only on the day allowed in Stage 2 and based on the Water Conservation Regional Map.

You may water vegetables by way of a sprinkler, twice a week between 6 and 9 a.m. and between 7 and 10 p.m. in accordance with the Stage 1 civic address system.

Yes you can. Please try to conserve water by keeping the same water in the pool as long as possible before replacing it. A pool is considered to be a kiddie pool or wading pool if it contains no more water than a bathtub (approximately 200 liters).

Using water to wash sidewalks, driveways or parking lots, exterior windows or exterior building surfaces, is allowed ONLY IF NECESSARY for applying a product such as paint, preservative, stucco or similar product; preparing a surface prior to paving or repointing bricks, or to comply with an enactment for health and safety or as otherwise required by law.

Stage 3 exceptions and specific scenarios for commercial premises and farm operations, can be reviewed in the bylaw. The community is encouraged to review the four stages to understand what is allowable and what is restricted.

If the District’s groundwater supply system is unable to keep up with water consumption, or in the event of an emergency situation, the emergency backup surface water sources may be brought into the system. In this event, the District will issue a Boil Water Notice. Under a Boil Water Notice, it is mandatory for all residents and food service operations to boil drinking water prior to consumption, which includes the washing of foods. The District requires cooperation from Squamish residents and businesses to avoid all unnecessary outdoor water use, thereby reducing the possibility of having to use our emergency backup surface water sources.

Surface water is disinfected with chlorine however there is a small risk that chlorine-resistant microorganisms could make it through the disinfection process. Under the direction of Vancouver Coastal Health, a Boil Water Notice is necessary to safeguard against the risk of contamination.

Adhering to Stage 3 Outdoor Water Use restrictions may circumvent the need for a Boil Water Notice to be issued.

How can the bylaw work for me?

Water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables with a hand-held container or hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle;

Water newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables for the first 24 hours;

Use micro-irrigation and drip-irrigation systems;

Wash a vehicle using a hand held water container or hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

Throughout Stage 3 a person may, on any day and during the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.:

Water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle;

Water newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables for the first 24 hours;

Use micro-irrigation and drip-irrigation systems;

Fill a wading pool (at any time).

Exceptions and specific scenarios for nurseries, farms, golf course and power washing buildings, sidewalks and parking lots etc. are outlined in the bylaw beginning on page six. The community is encouraged to review the four stages to understand what is allowable and what is restricted.

Kids' sprinklers would fall under the "sprinkler" category as it's continuously running water. Sprinklers for kids can be used during the sprinkler time permitted in Stages 1 and 2. Sprinklers are not allowed at all in Stage 3, at any time of any day. Using a wading pool, and keeping the water clean until it needs replacing, is the best option. A pool is considered to be a wading pool if it contains no more water than a bathtub (approximately 200 liters).

A soaker hose is a plastic hose with holes throughout its length and emits a spray outwards, similar to a sprinkler, therefore is not allowed.

A weeper hose slowly “weeps” water and looks like it is dripping. Water weeps directly into the soil, delivering water right to the roots of trees, flowers and shrubs and are considered to be equivalent to micro- or drip-irrigation systems. Replace leaking weeper hoses or repair any leaks as they arise. Although these can be used on any day and at any time, common sense is to turn them off after a reasonable period of time.

How is the bylaw enforced?

Please contact bylaw enforcement at 604-815-5067 or bylaw@squamish.ca. We will respond to the complaint and work to seek voluntary compliance through education wherever possible. Fines will result if that first approach is ineffective.